We present a linear algebraic method, named the eXtended Fourier Transform
(XFT), for spectral estimation from truncated time signals. The method is a
hybrid of the discrete Fourier transform (DFT) and the regularized resolve
nt transform (RRT) (J. Chen et al, J. Magn. Reson. 147, 129-137 (2000)). Na
mely, it estimates the remainder of a finite DFT by RRT. The RRT estimation
corresponds to solution of an ill-conditioned problem, which requires regu
larization. The regularization depends on a parameter, q, that essentially
controls the resolution. By varying q from 0 to infinity one can "tune" the
spectrum between a high-resolution spectral estimate and the finite DFT. T
he optimal value of q is chosen according to how well the data fits the for
m of a sum of complex sinusoids and, in particular, the signal-to-noise rat
io. Both 1D and 2D XFT are presented with applications to experimental NMR
signals. (C) 2001 Academic Press.